Answer to Question #28569 in Other Physics for Richard E A Watkins

High I was wondering is there a way to intensify the electrons in the air around us

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Expert's answer

2013-05-08T07:49:28-0400

An electron avalanche is a way to intensify the electrons in the air. An electron avalanche is a process in which a number of free electrons in a medium (usually a gas) are subjected to strong acceleration by an electric field, and subsequently collide with other atoms of the medium and thereby ionize them in a process called impact ionization. This releases additional electrons which are themselves accelerated and collide with further atoms, releasing more electrons, in a chain reaction. The result is the affected region of gas becomes a plasma, making it electrically conductive. Electron avalanches are essential to the dielectric breakdown process within gases. The process can culminate in corona discharges, streamers, leaders, or in a spark or continuous arc that completely bridges the gap between the electrical conductors that are applying the voltage. The process extends to huge sparks &mdash; streamers in lightning discharges propagate by formation of electron avalanches created in the high potential gradient ahead of the streamers&#039; advancing tips. Once begun, avalanches are often intensified by the creation of photoelectrons as a result of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the excited medium&#039;s atoms in the aft-tip region. High-velocity electrons often collide with neutral atoms inelastically, sometimes ionizing them. In a chain-reaction &mdash; or an &#039;electron avalanche&#039; &mdash; additional electrons recently separated from their positive ions by the strong potential gradient, cause a large cloud of electrons and positive ions to be momentarily generated by just a single initial electron. However, free electrons are easily captured by neutral oxygen or water vapor molecules (so-called electronegative gases), forming negative ions. In air at STP, free electrons exist for only about 11 nanoseconds before being captured. Captured electrons are effectively removed from play &mdash; they can no longer contribute to the avalanche process. If electrons are being created at a rate greater than they are being lost to capture, their number rapidly multiplies, a process characterized by exponential growth.